Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans)

Red Root Floater (Phyllanthus fluitans) is one of the most rewarding floating plants you can add to a freshwater aquarium. Under bright light the rounded, lily-pad leaves blush a deep red and trail a curtain of crimson roots, carpeting the surface to shade the tank and shelter shy fish and fry. It is a beginner-friendly plant that asks for no substrate and no CO2, an easy way to add color, cover, and natural filtration up top. Explore more live aquarium plants at Squeaky's Aquatics.

Each portion cup holds a healthy starter portion of Red Root Floater, ready to rinse and float on the surface of your tank.

Care Guide

• Lighting: Grows happily under low light, where it stays green and compact. Moderate to high light is what triggers the signature red roots and leaf undersides. Aim for a 6 to 10 hour photoperiod.
• CO2 and fertilizer: No CO2 injection needed. As a floating plant it draws CO2 straight from the air above the water. A liquid water-column fertilizer, especially one with iron, intensifies the red and keeps growth vigorous.
• Water flow: Prefers a calm surface. Strong filter output or heavy surface agitation pushes the leaves underwater and can cause melting. Keep flow gentle, and a floating feeding ring helps keep the plants corralled.
• Placement: Simply float it. No planting, no substrate, and no anchoring required.
• Maintenance: A fast grower. Scoop out and thin handfuls regularly so it does not blanket the entire surface and shade the plants below. Leave a small gap under the lid so trapped condensation does not constantly wet the leaves.

Specifications

Aquascaping and Tank Mates

Red Root Floater is a favorite in betta, gourami, killifish, and shrimp tanks, where the dangling roots give fry and timid fish a place to hide and forage. It pairs naturally with other floating plants for a layered surface canopy, and the shade it casts is welcomed by low-light plants below.

• Other floating plants: Salvinia, Water Lettuce, and Azolla.
• Cleanup crew: Amano Shrimp and Neocaridina Shrimp graze the roots and love the cover.

Recommended Pairings and Supplies

• More live aquarium plants
• Salvinia, Water Lettuce, and Azolla for a fuller surface canopy
• Amano Shrimp and Neocaridina Shrimp for cleanup and grazing
• Liquid plant fertilizer to deepen red coloration

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Red Root Floater green instead of red?
Red color is driven by light. Increase the intensity or length of your lighting and dose iron. Under low light the plant stays an attractive, healthy green.

Will it take over my tank?
It can grow quickly under good light. Scoop out and thin it every week or two and it stays easy to manage.

Do I need CO2 or special substrate?
No. It floats freely and pulls CO2 from the air, so there is nothing to plant and no CO2 system required.

Is it safe for bettas?
Yes. Bettas love resting among the roots and leaves. Just keep the surface calm so the leaves stay dry on top.